A to Z Challenge: X is for Xanthus--and Why I am a Dirty Rotten Book Thief

Today's post was originally going to be about the character Xanthus from Holly Kelly's RISING. But some recent events have taken place that have made me change my mind.

This past weekend I attended the LDStorymakers writing conference in Utah. I was excited to go, but as soon as I left my house, I missed my kids. Missed is actually an understatement. I felt as if I'd had a limb torn off (four limbs, to be exact.) I was a hot mess the whole time. Any time I saw a baby I fought back tears. It was painful for me, physically painful, to be away from my little ones. But when I got to the conference, I met some wonderful people, went to some great classes, and it helped me forget my pain a little.

On the last day, they had a book signing. There was ONE book that I absolutely had to get signed. RISING by Holly Kelly. I love this book. It has a great story, lovable characters, and a good dose of myth. If you've been following my blog, you know I like that one.

But this was the last day, the last event, and my homesickness had grown into a hard knot in my throat that threatened to burst any time I thought about my kids. And I thought about them a lot--so much that after I got my book signed, I put it in my bag with my previously purchased books and completely forgot about it.

I didn't remember until I got to my friend's house that night and started unpacking.

I am a dirty rotten book thief. I have no excuse. I stole a book from one of my all-time favorite authors, and now I feel like a rotten person.

The worst part--Holly had, that very same day, admitted to me that she'd had a whole box of her books stolen. And I stole her very last one. I've messaged her to ask if I can pay her somehow. (If anyone from CTP is reading this, please let me know how I can pay for the book!)

Please help me make it up to her! You--my reading friends--can help. I know we all get online to find something fast and fun to read, perhaps something to take our minds of the everyday stresses--but today you can do something kind AND get your mind off day-to-day stresses at the same time. HOW???

BUY Holly Kelly's book! (And if you download the Kindle version, it's absolutely free!) http://www.amazon.com/Rising-The-Series-Holly-Kelly-ebook/dp/B00EZRNT5W/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1398700321&sr=8-3&keywords=holly+kelly